FMQ friday

FMQ Friday

This week has been full of quilting! I have been chugging along trying to finish the quilt for my MIL.  I have a couple hours left but I love how it has turned out thus far. When I told her that I should be finished this weekend she was very excited.  I love it when the ideas that I have planned out actually turn out well. 

My favorite part so far has been the tree branch and the swirling air! I hope to post the finished product by Sunday.  Hope you have a great weekend.  

Until next time,

Holly

February recap

February Recap

I know that each month I mention how fast the month flies by, but looking at my only two posts from February I am not exaggerating.  This month has been full of working on projects, playing with my daughter and stress!!! Overall I had a successful month as far as losing weight.  I didn't make my goal of losing 10 pounds but I did lose almost 4.  I am about 7 pounds away from losing all my baby weight yay!!

As far as quilting I have been pretty busy.  I started the month off with wanting to accomplish a lot of tasks!

- 2nd paper pieced block

Finished!

Pattern from Quiet Play blog

I enjoyed making this cookie pot but I did have some issues with the lid.

-Quilt sister-in-laws baby quilt
I am having to create a different quilt for my sister-in-law since the set she bought is pretty close to the same idea that I had made.  More on this quilt in a bit.

-Make mothers quilt top
My MIL and I went to Joann's to see if she liked any of the panels.  She did so I basted the quilt and have started to quilt it.

I have a couple of panels to finish but it shouldn't take long.

-Make 6 mini heart quilts

I didn't get to this but I did complete a library bag for my daughter with a paper pieced owl.

Goals for March

-Lose another 5 pounds.
-Finish quilting MIL quilt- March 30 deadline
-Quilt monkey quilt for friend at church- Deadline mid April
-Piece and baste SIL quilt
-March block
-Easter dress for H

Looking forward to a longer month! Until next time!

Holly

Week in review

Week in review

This week has flown by and I am always amazed at how fast Friday comes.  This week I have been focusing on creating the quilt top for my SIL.  I looked around for a monkey baby quilt pattern but really didn't see anything I liked.  Looking at some of the bedding set she didn't choose I decided the easiest way was to create my own variation. I spent a couple of days sketching out these cute little guys and love how they turned out.  I personally think they have more cuteness appeal than the premade quilts.

I have a couple monkeys to add to the border and then I will be basting and quilting it.  Hope you all have a great week!

Until next time,

Holly

February goals

February Goals

In keeping with the tradition of goals I thought it would be fun to make a list of what I want to accomplish in February.  With that I should recount some of my accomplishments in January.  

In January

 I lost 10 pounds wooohooo! 

-I finished two quilts

- made my husband custom curtains for his office

 -first paper pieced block.  

Pattern from Quiet play blog

For February I have a long list, but I am excited to accomplish them! 

-Lose another 10 pounds

- 2nd paper pieced block

- Quilt sister-in-laws baby quilt

- Make mothers quilt top

-Make 6 mini heart quilts

I am hoping that my list is doable.  Sometimes I think I have more time than I do, especially since it is bowling season again! Hope you have a great week! Until next time.

Holly

Baby quilt finish

Baby quilt finish

Just added the label to my latest finish.  This makes 2 for the year. Yay!! I love this quilt and the color mixtures that it has.  It is exactly what I envisioned! I am hoping to make some more of this type of quilt so I can have a supply handy for the next few babies.  Although there was not as much quilting on the actual quilt top it was fun to see how the borders turned out.  If you want to see the beginning pictures please check out the previous blog. 

Loving how the border turned out!

View of the back of a bow.

Another back shot.

I have really enjoyed the last two quilts that I have done and am already in the works of working on another baby quilt.  I have a couple of other projects that I hope to have finished in the next couple of weeks.  Until next time! 

Holly

Work in progress

Work in progress

The title of this post is not only for my health goals but also for my current quilt.  I have had success the last two weeks with my weight loss, yay! I've currently lost 8lbs and some ounces.  Although I have a long way to go, this is awesome news.  The unfortunate part is that I got injured in crossfit last week and was told by my doctor that it is in my knees best interest to not continue with that workout style.  Wahhhhhh!!! I am out for 2-3 weeks with a lower leg injury but I plan on continuing with my running and some aspects of crossfit at my house.

For the past several quilts I have had fun making my own patterns and designs.  I have mentioned in the past that I am not one to really use patterns.  I love being able to change things and come up with my own special features.  I have also loved playing with my new Accuquilt that I got for Christmas! The quilt that I am currently working on is a baby shower gift for a friend.  I designed this quilt with the intention of using my accuquilt to cut out all pieces.  Unfortunately when I had all pieces cut I realized that my chevron pieces didn't cut right.  This was a very good lesson but a fun quilt nonetheless.  I can't wait to post the finished piece!

Quilt top is finished! I love the colors!

Quilt getting basted on the wall.  

Stitch in the ditch around the blocks and a tight stippling in the border.  

Loving the grey on grey look.  

Hearts and bows are so puffy!

I am loving this design and may make one for my own daughter.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

Until next time,

Holly

First finish

First finish of the New Year

I finally finished my first quilt of the new year.  Hard to believe that I have been free motion quilting for  a little over a year!  I still have a lot to learn but I am proud with what I have accomplished.  I am so grateful for all the bloggers out there that are helping and motivating people to become better at their craft.  Maybe one day I will do that as well.  

In the time that I have been doing this I feel its important to share what I have learned.

1.  I made the mistake with my first FMQ quilt of outlining everything before I filled it in.  I had so many puckers and my seam ripper became by best friend and nemesis. 

2.  I literally just jumped into FMQ.  I had never heard of it but I am so glad I found it or rather it found me!  

3. I don't usually practice before I put it on a panel or block.  If I feel I need extra practice I draw it out a couple of times.  Most of the time I go with the flow. (Eek!)

4. Chill out! A saying from my prime but it is very relevant.  I am my worst critic and often if there is a mistake I freak out!

5. Take advice from people for what it is, advice.  I often ponder over what I am doing is the "right" way to do it.  For example, while purchasing my go to thread the other day, the cashier asked me if I really wanted to get that thread.  So questioning myself I googled for best threads and if my thread was appropriate.  It took my husband telling me that I have been using this thread for as long as I had been quilting and there had not been complaints with color, damage etc.  I need to work on getting better at being more confident in my skills. 

6. Last one....well for today. I have found something that I love and I think I am good at.  I want this to be my craft, my trade and I am going to work hard to accomplish this. 

Latest finish is for a dear friend of mine that has been in and out of the hospital since last April. I made my own design and pattern.  I hope that she loves it!

Close up of FMQ. 

Used my walking foot for the border to add a little bit of a difference. 

Back of quilt.

I personally love the white star binding.  It breaks up the blue nicely!

Love me some clover clips!

Finished quilt! I loved making this one! 

Next blog I hope to share with you my progress for the baby quilt I need to have done by the end of the month.  Hope you have a great week!

Holly